Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Shiba Suberi, しばすべり
Category: Marten
The Myth
Shibasuberi is a mysterious weasel-like creature said to inhabit the remote mountains of Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Unlike many mischievous supernatural animals, it is described as gentle-hearted and friendly toward humans. It can take human form and visit villages, where it sometimes spends as long as half a day talking with local people.
Illustrations depict Shibasuberi as a weasel standing upright on its hind legs, dressed in a kimono and facing a person as though engaged in ordinary conversation. Despite this unusual appearance and its reputation as a kindly mountain visitor, little else is known about the creature. The meaning of its name remains unclear, and no independent source confirming the legend has been identified, leaving open the possibility that Shibasuberi was invented for a modern encyclopedia of supernatural creatures.
Sources
“Shibasuri.” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1010655067.html